Valley Center council approves letter of intent for Elevate Senior Living on city-owned Harvest Place parcel

Valley Center — The Valley Center City Council voted to enter a letter of intent with Elevate Senior Living to explore development of a senior living community on city-owned land at Harvest Place, council members agreed at their regular meeting.

Elevate’s presenter, Bruce Henches, described a mixed project that the team says would combine independent living “hybrid homes,” assisted living and memory-care neighborhoods. Henches said the proposal now before the city envisions roughly 160–180 total units, with about 96 units for assisted living and memory care; construction would be phased, and the developer estimates the first phase (independent living) could open in about 18 months, with full buildout and licensing completed in roughly 18–21 months.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the parcel has been identified for community use and that the project could keep Valley Center residents from having to move away as they age. Council members also cited potential job creation and local investment as reasons to pursue the LOI rather than turning down further conversations.

Project outline and operations Bruce Henches, who identified himself as representing Elevate Senior Living and Spellman Breeding Company, said the firm’s model targets what it calls the “forgotten middle market” for seniors — housing priced below high-end retirement communities but above substandard options. Henches said Elevate opened its first location in Clearwater, Fla., and that the Valley Center development would be based on a prototype design intended to limit wasted square footage, use neighborhood-style staffing and offer fresh-prepared meals and onsite services.

Henches said the team expects to create about 40–50 local jobs, including an on-site executive director, director of nursing and other team leads; he said local hiring and ties to job-training programs would be part of the plan. He also described a “founders” or booster-club model that would invite local investors and volunteers to participate in community life at the facility.

Site, land and local participation City staff and the developer discussed a parcel of roughly 6 acres on the northeast portion of the Harvest Place site that the city owns. The presentation identified that 6-acre parcel as the likely footprint for the project and described a path in which the council’s approval of the LOI allows Elevate to pursue equity commitments and to return later with a formal purchase or donation agreement and development contract. The city estimated the 6-acre parcel’s value at about $186,000 in the presentation materials; council members emphasized that a formal donation or sale would require separate council action.

Timing, approvals and next steps Council members asked about licensing, local management, parking, trails and integration with the recreation center. Henches said assisted-living/memory-care portions require state licensing (hence a later opening date than independent living) and that the company would hire a local executive director and local staff. He also said the plan includes walking trails that tie to the existing Harvest Place trail system and that parking was planned to meet code; one slide referenced about 180 total parking spaces for the full site plan.

The letter of intent is an initial, nonbinding step, staff said. The LOI sets a framework for Elevate to finalize financing and equity contributions; after that the developer will return with a formal purchase or donation agreement and construction and license plans for council approval. The council passed a motion to approve the letter of intent and authorized the mayor or city administrator to sign the LOI; the motion carried by voice vote.

What remains unresolved The LOI does not finalize land transfer, detailed financing, the project’s final unit count or precise phasing. Henches and staff said several items remain to be negotiated and documented, including: final site engineering, additional equity commitments (including local investor opportunities), state licensing for assisted-living and memory-care, and a schedule for community outreach events the developer said it intends to hold in October or November.

Council action Council approved entering the letter of intent with Elevate Senior Living and authorized the mayor or city administrator to sign. The approval was a preliminary step; the council will review any formal purchase/donation documents, development agreements and licensing materials when they return to the city for final approval.

Provenance topicintro: “Here before you, this evening is a proposal, letter of intent proposal to develop a senior living community, on the parcel that the city owns, on Harvest Place.”

topicfinish: “Move to enter to letter of intent with Elevate Senior Living and authorize mayor or city administrator to sign. Second. ... Motion carried.”